Vata – The Slower of the Doshas

The concept of doshas is unique to the ancient science of Ayurveda and refers to the three biological energies that come from the combination of the five elements: ether, air, fire, water and earth that make up life in the body and in the natural environment.

The leader of the three doshas (vata, pitta, kapha) is vata and means "that which moves things". The word comes from the Sanskrit "va" and is interpreted as to blow, to direct. Vata is created by the interaction of the ether + air elements and is the primary force of the nervous system, the carrier by which the life force enters the body through breath. For this reason, vata is called the leader of the doshas.

The properties of vata are; : Dry, light, cold, hard, delicate, kinetic.

The physical and mental actions of vata
As mentioned above, its functions are vital such as breathing, the two-way transfer of messages from the brain to the muscles and from the senses to the brain. It also controls blood flow, absorption of nutrients, cleaning of digestive waste, endocrine system, transports nutrients to the cell, produces neurotransmitters, thoughts in the mind, makes plans and
sets new goals! Vata gives inspiration, enthusiasm, vitality to personality and creativity in our life.

The position of vata in the body
The primary location of vata in the body is the colon, but it is also found in the bones, hips, ears, skin and mind.
The colon is the area where gas accumulates. The hips support the movement of the body. The ears and skin actively host vata because they are the representative organs of ether and air respectively.

The vata in the seasons
Autumn is characterized as vata season, with the wind increasing while the first rains mark the end of summer. At this stage vata energy dominates the natural environment and the human body resulting in some people complaining about their joints with the change of weather. With a careful look at the productivity of the land, we will notice that many of the foods we take in the autumn quarter such as grapes, figs, citrus fruits etc. beneficially limit the action of vata dosha.

Age stage vata

According to Ayurveda, after 50 years of life, man enters the vata age stage. Bones gradually lose bone mass, the mind becomes more selective in memory and life's priorities change.